Which word best describes someone who is an outcast?

Which word best describes someone who is an outcast?

• A. Exegesis
• B. Vicissitude
• C. Pariah
• D. Churlish

Answer: (C)

Pariah refers to a person who is shunned, ostracized, or rejected by society—an outcast. This meaning fits exactly, capturing the social status of someone excluded from acceptance or inclusion. Exegesis is about interpreting texts, especially religious ones, so it’s a different kind of cognitive task. Vicissitude means a change in fortune or circumstances, often unexpected, which isn’t about social standing. Churlish describes rude or ill-mannered behavior, not the state of being cast out by others. So the term that best matches the idea of an outcast is pariah.

Pariah refers to a person who is shunned, ostracized, or rejected by society—an outcast. This meaning fits exactly, capturing the social status of someone excluded from acceptance or inclusion. Exegesis is about interpreting texts, especially religious ones, so it’s a different kind of cognitive task. Vicissitude means a change in fortune or circumstances, often unexpected, which isn’t about social standing. Churlish describes rude or ill-mannered behavior, not the state of being cast out by others. So the term that best matches the idea of an outcast is pariah.